Summerland is getting a laundromat, filling a void the community has had since 2017 when the last one closed.

Summerland council approved a minor development permit variance Monday to pave the way for the construction of a new mixed-use commercial/residential building anchored by a laundromat downtown at 13212 Henry Ave.

Rick and Lori Leitner purchased the property last year, recognizing the need for a self-service laundromat in Summerland. The new building will also contain six residential rental units on the second and third floors as well as additional small commercial rental spaces on the ground floor alongside the laundromat.

On Monday, council signed off on a variance to allow five of the six parkade stalls supplied by the building to be designated “small car parking.” Typically the District of Summerland allows just 25 per cent of a development’s stalls to be for small cars, but size constraints of this lot leaves few other options.

The developer will also be paying the District of Summerland $12,000 in cash in lieu for the six additional parking spaces required for the commercial spaces. The money will be directed to the district’s parking reserve fund.